Old World vs. New World

I’m sure you’re familiar with the expressions “Old World” and “New World” when it comes to wine. “Old World” refers to those from Europe (the “old country”). “New World” means wines from anywhere else. Aside from simply geographic indications, these terms have come to signify more of winemaking styles. “Old World” wines tend to be “terroir” driven (flavours evolving from the particular site that give a wine its individual character), with the fruit in the background and less aggressive use of oak. “New World” implies the opposite: fruit upfront, more use of oak and the “terroir” aspect underplayed. Exceptions and crossovers certainly exist, but generally, all wine seems to fall into one category or the other.